Hyperplasia Disaster - Victoria, BC

My Zeltiq Cool Sculpting prcedure was an absolute...

26 May 2015

11 months post

My Zeltiq Cool Sculpting prcedure was an absolute disaster. What Zeltiq fails to point out in their product information is a side effect called "hyperplasia". If this happens to you you won't see a possible 25% in fat reduction in the treated area. What you will see is a 30 to 40 % increase in fat. This is not ordinary fat that can be lost with diet and exercise. This fat is very dense, hard and thick. It was so uncomfortable that when I sat I would have to pull my jeans away from my stomach so that the hyperplasia could slide by the top of my jeans. If I didn't do this the hyperplasia would catch and it was painful. This type of new fat is different in that it seems to be attached to the abdominal wall as well as the skin. The only way to get rid of hyperplasia is to go under general anesthesia and have it surgically removed. I had this done. I was under for 90+ minutes. After the surgery my surgeon told me that the removal was much harder than he anticipated.
Now begins my recovery. Along with several new surgical scars I have to wear a compression garment for 6 weeks - day and night. I can only remove it for bathing. The total recovery from the surgery is anticipated between 5 and 6 months and the first month is quite painful.
I took the time to read through Zeltiq's literature and nothing about Hyperplasia is mentioned. I think they do a disservice to their customers by avoiding this serious issue.
In retrospect I do not feel that Cool Sculpting was not worth having, especially with only a potential maximum fat reduction of 25-30%. I should have stuck with my exercise routine a little longer. Now I have the scars to remind me of what I went through.
Is it worth it to take such a risk with your health for such little improvement. The only potential fat reduction will be to a very small area. It's your money and your gamble. If you choose to take the risk with Cool Sculpting I wish you good luck.

Surgery Update - Re: Cool Sculptin

7 Jun 2015

1 year post

I saw the surgeon for a 6 week followup after removal of the paradoxal hyperplasia. Things seem to be progressing but it will take up to 6 months for the inflammation to settle down. The scarring is quite dark and I hope that will change down the road.
On another note, the Doctor told me that he was told by Zeltiq that the hyperplasia problem happens more often than they originally thought. I'm not sure of the numbers but it would have been nice prior to having the Cool Sculpting treatment.